New Business in Downtown Waukegan! A Cuban Experience

Waukegan Main Street caught up with Gary LeVine to find out more….
WMS: So how did this concept come about?
Gary LeVine: It began as a group of friends, Cigar aficionados and boaters. We would meet in the summer at Waukegan Harbor on beautiful Lake Michigan enjoying our cigars while sharing boating stories. Over time, our cigar knowledge and experience grew into rolling cigars for our own enjoyment. We invested in a rolling machine, molds and a cigar press. With the experience of our Cuban friend, Luis Carbonell, we have learned the fine art of creating a fine cigar. We then started creating our own blends.

WMS: What will the experience be like?
Gary LeVine: The Lounge will have cigar smoking . Patrons can walk in and go back to our giant walk-in humidor, and pick out their own cigars. We’ll teach patrons about cigars; how to roll them, the different blends available in A Cuban Theme environment.

WMS: Why Waukegan?
Gary LeVine: We wanted it to be in Waukegan! Most of the partners are life long Waukeganites. We want to watch this downtown area grow. We want to be a part of this Cities growth.

WMS: What differentiates your cigars from other brands?
Gary LeVine: Some are mild, some are stronger. You can customize the cigars to make different sizes, and use different leaves from Brazil, Dominican Republic, Nicaraguan and Connecticut. We’ve gotten rave reviews!

WMS: When will you be opening?
Gary LeVine: We plan to have a soft opening the end of March.